SERCH Overview

In June 2013, Secretary Vilsack announced the creation of seven Regional Climate Hubs that will assist the managers of production-oriented agricultural and forestry ecosystems maintain or increase yields and ecosystem services associated as climate changes and becomes increasingly variable. Working with research colleagues in the Forest Service and other federal science agencies, University researchers, and researchers from other private and public organizations, Southeast Regional Climate Hub (SERCH) researchers will develop and deliver science-based, regional specific information and technologies to agroecosystem and natural resource managers that enable climate-smart decision making.

SERCH will collaborate with a robust network of public, academic, and private sector organizations, researchers, and outreach specialists. They will deliver technical support to USDA land management programs by providing tools and strategies for climate change response to help producers cope with challenges associated with drought, hear stress, excessive moisture, longer growing seasons, and changes in pest pressures. SERCH will also provide periodic regional assessments of risk and vulnerability in the production sector to contribute to the National Climate Assessment, and deliver and interpret regional climate change forecasts for hazard and adaptation planning. Notably, the SERCH will provide outreach and extension to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners on science-based risk management to cope with biotic and abiotic risks exacerbated by a changing climate, and will partner with NCSU and other universities, with the SE CSC and other federal agencies, and the private sector to create and deliver regionally relevant climate adaptation information for the Southeast US.